Best manga with a ghost protagonist

Important takeaways

• Ghosts in manga are often versatile protagonists in different genres, from horror to romance.
• Unlikely relationships between humans and ghosts make for exciting stories in supernatural manga.
• Ghostly protagonists in manga offer comedic elements while showcasing character growth and depth.

In most of them mangathe death of a character is considered the end of their role in the story. For some, however, death is just the beginning of their character arc, a notion quite often witnessed in fantasy and supernatural manga. Whether it's a ghost returning from the dead or a soul lingering in a state of limbo, ghosts make some exceptional protagonists.

Although plenty of manga feature ghosts and supernatural entities, rarely do any manga make these characters the focal point of the story. Despite their somewhat unorthodox nature, these protagonists can be quite versatile. This is evident from the many stories they can be found in, whether classic shonen, supernatural slice-of-life, or dark seinen manga.

7 Miss Okiku wants to own

An unlikely connection between ghost and exorcist

Ghosts and spirits are known to return to the world of the living for all sorts of hideous and evil reasons. However, one ghost in particular has a slightly unorthodox reason for walking among the living: flirting. Okiku, a centuries-old spirit known for evil and carnage, returns only to flirt with the most powerful exorcist of the present time.

With an absurd yet healthy starting point, Miss Okiku wants to own is an exciting manga that mixes Girls Love subtext with slice-of-life supernatural themes. While the manga does delve into some racy scenes, the overall premise remains largely wholesome.

6 Possessed by a ghost

BL Romance with a macabre touch

Possessed by a ghost presents a wholesome BL premise with an interspecies relationship between a ghost and a human. Ghost-human relationships can be a common theme in the anime landscape, although a BL take on this niche is a rare sight indeed.

Gyou Ryouta finds his apartment haunted by a playful spirit named Taiga Yamakawa. Despite being polar opposites, Gyou eventually opens up to Taiga and his horrible antics, giving way to a strangely adorable BL affair between a criminal ghost and a college student.

5 The most powerful haunted house and the guy with no spiritual sense

Horror comedy with a ghost protagonist

Comedic premises are a common sight in supernatural manga, as the odd dynamic between unassuming humans and playful ghosts can lead to all sorts of hilarious moments. The most powerful haunted house and the guy with no spiritual sense capitalizes on this very aspect, with a ghostly protagonist bent on scaring a man who can't see ghosts.

Despite its largely comedic premise, The most powerful haunted house and the guy with no spiritual sense goes beyond just being a superficial ghost story. With abundant character growth and insight into each character, this manga manages to present a roster of ghost characters with intriguing backstories.

4 Dusk Maiden Of Amnesia

Unraveling paranormal mysteries with the occult

Dusk Maiden of Amnesia revolves around a horrible spirit that lingers in Seikyou Academy's abandoned building. Yuko Kanoe was left to die in the old campus building, and her spirit is discovered by first-year student Teichi Niya, who promises to accompany her and uncover the mystery behind her death.

Despite her ghostly status, Yuko forms an intimate bond with Teichi, which becomes one of the manga's focal points. While romance between humans and supernatural beings isn't exactly a new concept, Dusk Maiden of Amnesia presents a compelling version of this common trope.

3 Yuuna And The Haunted Hot Springs

A list of playful ghosts

Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs primarily revolves around exorcist Kogarashi's new life in a haunted hot springs mansion. But Yuuna soon takes center stage after Kogarashi agrees to help Yuuna satisfy her wishes in an effort to let her move on, instead of just challenging the spirit that haunts his new mansion.

While the premise may not be anything unique within the supernatural landscape, Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs stands out largely because of its silver-haired spirit. With her charming antics and playful personality, Yuuna becomes the selling point of this slightly risky manga.

2 Yu-Gi-Oh!

A genius ghost at the helm

Yu-Gi-Oh!the quintessential card battle manga from the late 90s, is largely known for its intense card battles. However, the manga also qualifies as a supernatural story because of Yugi's alternate persona, Yami Yugi. Originally a pharaoh in ancient Egypt, Yami Yugi owns Yugi after he successfully solves the Millennium Puzzle.

Together, the human-ghost duo embark on an ambitious journey that revolves around a card game that has consequences worse than death. While Yami eventually part ways with Yugi, the Pharaoh's ghost remains an integral part of Yu-Gi-Oh!'s the premise of a significant portion of the manga.

1 Toilet bound Hanako-Kun

A human-ghost duo linked by fate

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is a classic ghost manga, one that combines urban horror with a decent mix of comedy. As the name suggests, Hanako is a ghost heading to a restroom in Kamome Academy, although he is one of seven paranormal mysteries that haunt the school.

Hanako becomes drawn into first year Nene Yashiro, who is forced to seek the ghost's help after an accident with a magical object. Nene takes on the role of Hanako's assistant, leading to a series of supernatural escapades as the sinister duo explore the paranormal mysteries of Kamome Academy.